The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in collaboration with AuScope have developed an open-access network of geospatial data and supporting infrastructure -- the Spatial Information Services Stack (SISS) -- for the exploration of Australia’s geology.

AuScope chief executive, Bob Haydon, said the new network can be used by anyone to investigate the geological history of Australia while researchers can also use it to gain a greater understanding of climate change, sustainable energy, water and mineral resources and, extreme geological activity such as earthquakes.

"This is clearly just the first step but it is very timely as some of the really big challenges that we face nationally and globally require multi-organisational, as well as multidisciplinary approaches,” he said in a statement.

The SISS has been distributed to multiple Australian Government agencies and research organisations, for which CSIRO director of Minerals Down Under National Research Flagship, Jonathan Law, said collaboration would be integral to its success.

"Quality integrated data products will provide national impact by attracting mineral explorers to Australia and helping drive successful exploration outcomes,” Law said.
"Australia has fantastic data, but unless we get complementary data from all jurisdictions delivered seamlessly to users its full impact cannot be realised.”

CSIRO boss, Megan Clark, last week said she had received in-principle support from the union, accepting an annual 3.5 per cent increase over three years. Other issues involving staff consultation, redundancy and redeployment, and parental and maternity leave, had also been resolved, she said in an email to staff.

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